Automatic shut-off for water treatment system

Abstract

A water treatment system including an automatic shut-off control valve. The system preferably includes inflow and outflow sensors that monitor flow through the system and a pressure sensor that senses back pressure in a downstream plumbing system. If the sensors sense different flows, a leak in the system is assumed and the control valve is closed. In one embodiment, the flowing back pressure is monitored by the pressure sensor to detect leaks in the plumbing system. In another embodiment, the valve is closed after a specific volume of water flow is sensed and the pressure sensor measures static back pressure in the plumbing system to detect a leak. In yet another embodiment, incremental amounts of water are released by the valve and subsequent back pressures are tested to detect a leak. Optionally, the system includes a control to shut-off a water supply when a water treatment device enclosure is accessed.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates to a liquid treatment system and more particularly to point-of-use water treatment systems.[0002]Liquid treatment systems are commonly used to treat liquid in a distribution system. Such treatment systems typically remove contaminants from or alter contaminates in liquid to reduce consumption and use problems or enhance the aesthetic quality of the liquid.[0003]A specific type of liquid treatment system is a water treatment system, which commonly is used in a water distribution system. A water treatment system removes pathogens, chemical contaminates, and turbidity from water that is used for human consumption. Water treatment systems may employ filtration components, ion exchange components, ultraviolet radiation components and the like to treat water as it flows through the water treatment system from a water supply to a point of distribution, for example, a faucet in a building.[0004]Conventional water treatment systems connect a muni...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention wherein a water treatment system with an automated control valve is provided to shut-off water flow to prevent leakage from the water treatment system and plumbing downstream of the water treatment system.

[0012]In a third embodiment, the water treatment system includes a shut-off control to prevent water damage created by ruptured downstream plumbing lines or slow leaks from accidentally left-open faucets at points of distribution. A pressure sensor measures back pressure in the plumbing system and this measured back pressure is compared to a predefined back pressure. If the measured back pressure is less than the predefined back pressure, the system indicates to a user that a downstream plumbing system failure has occurred and, optionally, closes the control valve to prevent further water damage.

Problems solved by technology

Under such high pressure, the systems occasionally fail as a result of a manufacturing defect, a design defect, end-user abuse or a pressure surge in the water supply.

If severe enough, a pressure surge may rupture the water treatment system components, and result in an uncontrolled release of water from the system.

Such a release has the potential to cause significant flood damage to the building or structure in which the water treatment system is located.

Although this approach prevents electrocution of bystanders and damage to the electric supply, the system remains under pressure and thus still may cause water damage.

A second problem associated with conventional water treatment systems is that most include consumable components, for example, filters, ultraviolet bulbs and ion exchange chemicals that require occasional maintenance or replacement.

This makes maintenance of the water treatment system time consuming and, in some cases, complex.

In some instances, however, if the check valves are abused by end-users, it is possible that water may leak from the check valves because the system remains under pressure.

Moreover, if the filter cartridge of Kuennen is forcibly and improperly replaced, the check valves may remain stuck open, causing a slow leakage problem.

A third problem common to conventional water treatment systems is that if the plumbing downstream of the water treatment system bursts or ruptures, for example, due to freezing, the water treatment system allows water to flow freely to the burst or leaking region.

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